Warren pens bill honoring airport blast victims
Bay State Sen. Elizabeth Warren is reaching across the aisle to honor the 13 service members who lost their lives last month in a terrorist attack in Kabul, including U.S. Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo of Lawrence.
“These individuals demonstrated incredible courage throughout their careers, and we owe it to them to pass legislation to recognize their heroic service with the Congressional Gold Medal,” Warren said in a statement.
Warren introduced legislation in Congress along with U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, a Republican, to award those who died on August 26 in an attack at the Kabul airport with the honor, which is Congress’s “highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions,” according to the Senate’s website.
Senators from both sides of the aisle have cosponsored the bill. Congresswoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hundreds, including Gov. Charlie Baker, turned out for Rosario Pichardo’s wake and funeral in Lawrence earlier this week to pay their respects.